Google Earthquake Alert Feature to Be Available for Android Users in India

Urian B., Tech Times 28 September 2023, 06:09 am

Google has reportedly launched a new feature that would provide users in India with alerts regarding earthquakes. It was announced that the new alert systems will cover users across India.

System of Google Earthquake Alerts in India Will Make Use of the Smartphone Sensors

According to Tech Crunch, the feature reportedly uses certain smartphone sensors like its accelerators in order to sense tremors. These accelerators act as seismometers and are capable of detecting movement.

The company reportedly stated that it had developed the new earthquake alerts with consultation from the National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Users Ask to Take Action Once They Receive Alerts on Earthquakes With Magnitude 4.5 or Greater

The new feature is reportedly designed to help Android users receive earthquake alerts in areas that would most likely be impacted. Android will reportedly make the alerts available for the local Indian languages.

So far, users are set to receive two different types of alerts: the Take Action and the Be Aware alerts. These notifications would be sent out to users experiencing the MMI 3 and MMI 4 shaking upon an earthquake of 4.5 magnitude or greater.

Users Won't Get Any Sound if Their Device Is on Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode

The notifications reportedly pop up on the user's screen but will not play any sound if the user's device is on Do Not Disturb or silent mode.

The alerts would also come with suggestions for users as to whether they should look for cover under a table or others.

Google announced that the feature would be using its Android network to detect potential earthquakes. That is by highlighting the seismic activity in a certain area, which the company claims would reach the user's devices a few moments before the shaking happens.

Android Earthquake Alerts Launched in California in 2020

It was reported that the offering was previously available for users in California after the Android Earthquake Alerts feature was released in 2020. To get access to this feature, users need to have a phone that packs the Android 5 operating system or later versions.

Other requirements would be for users to have connectivity via cellular data or WiFi, and they would need to have their location settings on. This feature also needs to be manually enabled through the user's Settings, according to Fintech Global.

How to Enable the Google Earthquake Alerts Feature on Android

Once in Settings, users would need to go to the Safety & Emergency section and click on Earthquake Alerts. Another way to enable the setting is through the Location section also on the Settings feature.

Once in Location, users need to click on Advanced and then go to Earthquake Alerts. After doing this, users should effectively be able to get earthquake alerts when incidents happen near them.